When will our state Assembly take a stand and send Speaker Sheldon Silver packing?

This man has abused his power time and time again, and then he rushes to a microphone to tell us he's sorry.

Let's take a quick look back: In 2001 and 2003, his counsel was accused of sexual misconduct. Silver basically did nothing, authorizing a $500,000 settlement. The aide later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual contact.

Now, we come to 2013, and we find that he authorized a "hush money" payment of $103,000 to keep the Assemblyman Vito Lopez scandal from surfacing. Fortunately, it eventually became public, and Mr. Lopez was sent packing. But, like clockwork, Mr. Silver trots out to the microphones to tell us how sorry he is, and that this sort of thing cannot be tolerated.

It's time for action. Contact your legislators immediately and demand that they deal with this when they return to session. It's simply time for Sheldon Silver to leave Albany.